Concerns raised over interpreting services regulation amid rising immigrant numbers in Iceland

Concerns are being raised regarding the regulation and oversight of interpreting services in Iceland, particularly as the number of immigrants increases. This rise has created a greater demand for interpreters to assist individuals during visits to hospitals, healthcare facilities, and government institutions.

Gauti Kristmannsson, a professor of translation studies at the University of Iceland, noted that the interpretative field in the country lacks adequate regulatory frameworks. He describes community interpreting as akin to “the Wild West,” suffering from insufficient educational requirements for interpreters and inadequate structured agreements with public bodies regarding payment for services.

Birna Imsland, who teaches community interpreting at the same university, emphasized the recent growth of this profession in Iceland, noting a significant uptick in demand fueled by globalization. She explained that individuals relocating to Iceland often require interpretation services as they may not speak Icelandic.

The discussions around the industry have included interviews with interpreters employed by one of the leading service providers, International Center ehf. They praised the company but questioned the low wages they receive. Criticism has also surfaced regarding the absence of a union to advocate for interpreters’ rights.

Financial reports indicate that International Center ehf. has achieved significant profits, amounting to 340 million ISK over the past five years, while distributing similar sums to its shareholders. In contrast, wages in the interpreting field remain low.

The CEO of International Center has stated that the company is not solely a language service provider but also undertakes various translation projects, thereby challenging the narrative that public service work must be unprofitable. Despite ongoing growth, there remains room for improvement in the industry, backed by calls for better regulation and support for interpreters.